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Come experience the serenity of our Excelsior Escape. Our private designed suite encompasses the total unique upper flat including a full living room with Queen size sleeper couch, den, dining room serves eight, foyer, full kitchen, full bath, Master quarters fit for Royalty, surrounded by imported silk drapery with fine linens on King size bedding. What makes Excelsior Escape a truly memorable experience is the breathtaking views from your private accessed Rooftop deck. Enjoy the changing seasons that embrace the St. Croix River and Historic Stillwater! Reserve your escape today for a romantic get-a-way extravagant, anniversary extraordinaire, and girl's night out(bridal showers, baby showers) bachelor parties, birthday celebrations, family get together, honeymoon, or in town for business, we will arrange the perfect stay, may it be one day or one year.

We also will provide private rooftop dining with a three, four or five course dinner with wine pairings or specialty dinners of your choice by a seasoned chef. (check for prices and with advance notice) Forgot to mention the Gateway Trail; this a wonderful resource for biking/roller blading/walking, etc.The Gateway Trail’s generally flat( an old rail bed) terrain is a great place to ride, especially for new riders.

About Katherine B. Francis

My passion is design, the minute I laid eyes on this building I knew I had to have it. So much character, I even took my daughter and showed it to her, telling her I was going to buy it and what did she think?. I then thought I would have a tea shop there, as my Mother and Father are Irish. It seemed like it could be a family affair. Shortly after I purchased the building Charles Nelson who was the State Historic Architect suggested to me that I get on the Stillwater Heritage Commission, as they needed my help. Charles and I had worked on other projects in the past together. WA Frost was one and other Twin City projects. I dove into the second floor of Excelsior building opening up all the rooms that had been separated by doors and exposing brick where it would make a difference. Then the worst happened, my Mother died and my whole world feel apart. My passion was gone and the building restoration stopped. I was lost without my Mom's encouragement. So the building was rented out, left to it's own. In the last two years, I have restored woodwork and had all but one room floors restored, new windows, painting and the fun part decorating. I had a new roof put on with a new outside rooftop deck, a new deck outside master suite, complete new kitchen, all materials out of recycled historic items. New Furnace/Central Air. Tuckpointing of Exterior. It takes you back to the late 1800's with flair of the 2000's. I am so proud of the restoration at Excelsior Escape. It's fun, open and a great piece of living history. It is centrally locating on Main Street and it's a contributing part of Historic Stillwater.

Katherine B. Francis purchased this apartment in 1987

Why Katherine B. Francis chose Minnesota

We live in Stillwater and I sell real estate here. We raised our children here and they both graduated from school here. We go to church here. Stillwater's home, we love it! we shop locally, we volunteer and we have been involved here. Stillwater offers so much quality of living. Great restaurants, great shopping and a outstanding library. Our hospitals and medical doctors are the finest. Our schools are award winning. We are rich in history and our St. Croix River offers so much activities.

What makes this apartment unique

You can also rent this 'one of a kind' location for a special event. Fee for Rental is $500.00 per function, per day.

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Exceptional!5/5 -

(13 traveller reviews)

A Hidden Gem

This loft was an amazing and perfect place for the girls and I. We loved the location as it was walking distance to the shops and restaurants. I will definitely be coming back with my husband and kids, and hopefully for another girls weekend. If you are thinking about going to Stillwater this VRBO destination is a must!!!

Review Submitted: Nov 7, 2016

Date of Stay: Nov 2016

Source: VRBO, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thanks for your kind words. Your group of young women were delightful, and so grateful you all had a memorable experience. Congratulations to the Bride!!

The Perfect place to stay in Stillwater, MN

We have so many positive things to say. Starting with the process to rent the place. Katherine made the booking so easy. She is a joy to work with. Her husband , Rick was very accommodating when we arrived. This quaint place has so much to offer. There was plenty of space for us 5 girls to stay. This place overlooks the river, bridge, park and town. You can see this from the living room and roof top. And I must say the roof top was sweet.... everything to do in this great town is within walking distance. Great restaurants, bars with live music, the trolley to sight see. Not far from the mall of America or the casino. The town offers many choices for dinning. We enjoyed the little malt shop and we ate twice at Lolo's, recommend by Katherine's, husband Rick. The shopping was great. After spending a couple days shopping there, we went to the mall of America and found it boring in comparison. It was a place you definitely need to see. In closing, you really owe it to yourself to visit Stillwater , MN and stay at Katherine's place the "EXCELSIOR".

Review Submitted: Oct 20, 2016

Date of Stay: Oct 2016

Source: VRBO, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thank you so much for your kind words, I have put a lot of energy and time into the Excelsior Suite Escape, making it a place I would want to stay at. I love to share my good linens and comfy towels....not just same old white linens. You were perfect guests, always welcome to come stay with us again, you will love the every changing designs. Enjoy your fall.

Wedding weekend home!

Loved staying here for my wedding weekend! I had myself and bridesmaids stay ther Friday of our wedding and we had a blast. The house is beautiful, perfectly located and walking distance from everything in Stillwater. The rooftop was amazing and overlooked the st croix- we took a lot of beautiful wedding photos there. Our photographers and vendors loved getting to document our day there - it was the perfect setting. We look forward to future stays here!

A wonderful girls weekend

The Excelsior Escape is exactly what it says an escape. I hosted bachelorette party which included 8 girls for the weekend. All the girls including my self were just blown away by how spacious it was and the beauty of it. Katherine has done a wonderful job with the loft, it makes you feel like royality. Katherine met us when we arrived gave us the grand tour and also made sure she was avaliable throughout the weekend if we needed anything or had questions. Katherine also had blown up a blowup mattress for us just in case we needed it. One of the best parts of the weekend was the roof top. We would start and end our days there, between watching the sun rise, the beautiful river and seeing bald eagals flying over head it truly was an escape from reality. I would highly recommend this place to everyone. I am already looking at my schedule so I can plan a romantic weekend with my husband.

Review Submitted: Mar 14, 2016

Date of Stay: Mar 2016

Source: HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thank you, for your kind words. I am thrilled that you enjoyed yourself with your friends. Makes me happy that you had fun on the roof...great spot for people watching. I try to make it super comfortable and up scaled with all the personal touches with the bedding and towels. You were delightful guests, Thank you!!!

Location

Car: not necessary

Stillwater is known for its historic St. Croix River, Lift Bridge, architecture, unique shopping, fine dining to casual food, entertainment and leisure. In the 1800s, the downtown was anchored by the Lumber Mill, Lumber Exchange and Train depot. It was named the Birthplace of Minnesota in 1843. Located on Main Street in the historic 1882 Excelsior Block Building.

Biking or walking along the river bank, offers great views and you can also create a challenging workout by going up and down the many stairs our town provides. Library is within working distance, as well as, winery, grocery store, bookstore, dining, shopping and antiquing. Make a date for the trolley strolling through the residential area, enjoying all the colors of historic homes while sharing history of the town. http://www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/

Awarded Midwest winner of 'AMERICA'S PRETTIEST PAINTED PLACES' by the Paint Institute of America. Check out our beautiful, romantic, painted B&B's, and Stillwater's Victorian architectural gems by visiting the Paint Institute's video and preview the entries that won Stillwater this award. Other awards include Forbe's 'Prettiest Small Towns In America', and Minnesota Monthly's 'Best Day Trip'.

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